Todays great rate

http://www.businessinsider.com/maersk-ceo-warns-about-problems-facing-global-trade-2016-2?r=UK&IR=T

This is another doom article I read today. Hold on to your pants. I've been somewhat lucky so far my customers have slowed but not stopped. I haul a lot of automotive steel and retail freight. Commodities have been in the toilet for a year now, it just takes time to trickle down to the consumer.

 

You run how you choose to run.

One thing I can promise you... my bank accounts are not cheap. I run how I run because I dont like having to worry about money.

Hurst

 

All business operate differently! ALL of them no matter the profession. Why do you think some business have all brand new equipment and some don't, some run brokers other don't, some have no debt other choose to have debt. Point is, it doesn't matter how you do what you do as long as your successful in your own eyes, that's all that matters. Who is anyone to say what someone should haul freight for, you don't know their overhead, business model, do you? Your arguing over broker freight anyways! Here today gone tomorrow! If @Hurst can haul that load and turn a profit, no matter the margin, and can benefit from the location it puts him in then more power to him! Don't cry because he beat you on the rate and way he conducts his business, heres some advice that's business! It's tough, it's supposed to be! It goes both ways! I say more power to him.

 

This is the new world in all business. The gravy train days are a thing of the past.
Too many people, not enough decent jobs.
Some people will wait for prime rib while others scramble for the cheese.

 

You can't compare a hotshot overhead with a tractor trailer.

 

it's not that bad yet. Bad will be when fuel goes up but they try to keep the rates the same.

 

First,.. I dont run for $1.50. Even with the current rates,.. I sit and wait it out. I have done one for $1.67 to get out of where I was and that ended up being a hotshot load, just a single 2000lb pallet. $1.50?!?

As for when my truck broke down,.. you have to take into consideration all of my circumstances. First I was hit in April and lost 8 weeks of revenue while the mega, myself and my insurance all litigated on what was going to happen before my truck was finally repaired. Then not even 2 weeks later, my truck went down for mechanical repairs for another 6 weeks. Between repairs, expenses, my bills, family needs etc,.. I went through roughly $33k with out any serious income until I went to drive my carriers RGN. And when I did, I was paid a flat $3k per week for 6 weeks. How could I say no?

Now here I am,.. Its early Feb. I went from barely $5k in the bank in Aug,.. got my truck out Sept 8th,.. right now in my bank accounts,.. after all my bills, debts, expenses paid, family needs have been covered,.. I am sitting flush with $56k cash in my bank. $39k of that was in there by Dec 20th. Not bragging,.. just want you to understand,.. I am not cash poor. I was hoping to have $100k in there by April/May,.. things have slowed a bit,.. now its looking like June/July before I hit my targeted goal.

I own 2 houses, the one I live in I recently purchased. The other is on the market and my brother is currently living in it. My brother is also a disabled quadriplegic. He was in a car accident when he was 15. I have been taking care of him ever since. We have no parents or family to help us. His nursing care and specialists cost me $1200 month. My first mortgage is $564 a month, the house I just bought is $1272 a month. Electric, Fios, cell phones, insurance, tags, property taxes, jobless daughter with a jobless boyfriend, personal hobbies. My monthly living expenses are considerable. So I ask you,.. do you honestly believe I do not know what I am worth? What my time is worth? My family depends on me.

I hustle and roll out here because thats how I make my money. If you sit and roll 1 run a week for say $3200 and thats all you want,.. good for you. Mean while I am doing $650 - $1200 daily short hauls during the week and then score a $1800 - $3500 weekend run. Why,.. because thats my business model. I hump,.. I roll,.. and then I hump and roll some more.

If I come in and undercut the loads that you wanted to be paid more to do because you feel you are worth more, dont be angry,.. its just business.

Hurst